Marty Weems, LCSW, LCAS, MINTUNC School of Social Work

10-20-2016

Facilitating Change Using the Relational Elements of Motivational Interviewing

UNC-CH CLINICAL LECTURE INSTITUTE

Learning Objectives

Understand the theoretical basis of Motivational Interviewing (MI).

Recognize the relational elements of MI.

Incorporate relational elements into the process dimension of psychotherapy.

Develop skills in using the relational elements of MI.

Theoretical Influences

What is Motivational Interviewing?

“Motivational Interviewing is a collaborative conversation style for strengthening a person’s own motivation and commitment to change.”

(Miller & Rollnick, 2013)

Theoretical Foundations of MI

Client Centered Therapy

Self Determination Theory

Cognitive Dissonance Theory

Client Centered Therapy

Developed by Carl Rogers

Core themes

Actualizing tendency

Primacy of experience

Self exploration

Non-directivity

If I keep from meddling with people, they take care

of themselves,

If I keep from commanding people, they behave

themselves,

If I keep from preaching at people, they improve

themselves,

If I keep from imposing at people, they become

themselves

~Lao Tzu

Principles of Person-Centered Care

It is vital to activate one’s own strengths, motivations, and resources in order for change to occur.

Change is not a power struggle.

Change is fundamentally self change...we do not install change, we evoke it.

(Miller & Rollnick, 2013)

Growth Factors in Client Centered Therapy

Therapist-client psychological contact

Client incongruence (vulnerability)

Therapist congruence (genuineness)

Therapist unconditional positive regard

Therapist empathy

Client perception

Self Determination Theory

A theory of motivation that requires consideration of innate psychological needs

Competence

Autonomy

Relatedness

Essential for understanding the what and why of

goal pursuits

(Ryan & Deci, 2000)https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3sRBBNkSXpY

Types of Motivation

(Ryan & Deci, 2000)

Cognitive Dissonance Theory

Leon Festinger

Principle of cognitive consistency

We have an inner drive to hold all our attitudes and beliefs in harmony and avoid dissonance.

Reducing dissonance

Change in attitudes

Acquisition of new information

Reduce importance of cognitions

Foundational Elements of MI

Relational Factors

Technical Factors

Motivational Interviewing is comprised of…

Spirit Principles

OARSChange

Talk

(Miller & Rollnick, 2013)

Spirit of MI

Collaboration

Compassion

Evocation

Acceptance

(Miller & Rollnick, 2013)

Four Points of Acceptance

Absolute Worth

Affirmation Autonomy

Accurate Empathy (Miller & Rollnick, 2013)

The spirit of MI brings forth feelings of hope, inspiration, and confidence, which provide clients with the outlook necessary to improve their lives.

(Wagner & Ingersoll, 2008)

MI Principles

1. Express Empathy

2. Develop Discrepancy

3. Roll with Resistance

4. Support Self Efficacy

(Miller & Rollnick, 2013)

Rolling with Resistance

Dancing vs. Wrestling

Guiding vs. Directing

Tapping vs. Pulling

Consulting vs. Instructing

In short…

Therapist interpersonal skills increase client:

Engagement

Affect

Disclosure

Cooperation

Avoid the Righting Reflex

Nixin’ fixin’

We want to make things right or better

In MI, the practitioner doesn’t try to change the client’s behavior.

Change comes from the client’s intrinsic motivation.

RULE

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-4EDhdAHrOg

Understanding Ambivalence

Feeling two ways about something

It is…NORMAL!

In MI, the goal is to help the client to resolve ambivalence and move towards change

(Miller & Rollnick, 2013)https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RmVnIRgfngc

Key Points in MI

Motivation to change is elicited from the client.

It is the client's task, to articulate and resolve the ambivalence.

Direct persuasion is not effective.

The counseling style is generally quiet and eliciting.

The counselor is directive, in that they help the client to examine and resolve ambivalence.

Readiness to change is not a trait, but a state.

The therapeutic relationship resembles a partnership or companionship.

(Miller & Rollnick, 2013)

Microskills

Open-ended questions

Affirmations

Reflections

Simple

Affective

Double-sided

Reframe

Summaries

Agreement with a twist

Metaphor

Amplified

(Miller & Rollnick, 2013)

Change Talk

Desire

Ability

Reasons

Need

Commitment

Activation

Taking steps

Preparatory Mobilizing

(Miller & Rollnick, 2013)

Four Processes in MI

Engaging

Establish a working relationship

Focusing

Focus on what the person came to talk about

Evoking

Eliciting the client’s own motivation for change

Planning

The when and how change will take place

(Miller & Rollnick, 2013)

When to Use MI

When ambivalence to change exists

When there is a clear direction for change

In conjunction with other approaches- it is not designed to be a singular approach

Dispelling Some Myths

MI is NOT…

a way to trick or manipulate people

a technique

just client centered therapy

A form of CBT or Client Centered Therapy

the transtheoretical stages of change

easy

a panacea

what you are already doing

Using the Relational Elements of MI

“Motivational Interviewing is not about the content”

~Theresa Moyers

Process Dimension of Psychotherapy

“The therapeutic process is metaphorically repeating the same type of conflicted interaction that clients have not been able to resolve in other relationships, and that they have often experienced in formative, attachment relationships”.

(Teyber & McClure, 2011, p. 24)

What Influences Engagement?

Desires/goals

Importance

Positivity

Expectations

Hope

(Miller & Rollnick, 2013)

Building the Therapeutic Alliance

Significant relationship between the therapeutic alliance and psychotherapy outcomes.

Therapist attributes that are associated with a high quality alliance include:

Confidence

Warmth

Patience

Flexibility

(Arnow & Steidtmann, 2014)

Elements of a Positive Alliance

Establishment of trusting working relationship (akin to a holding environment)

Agreement on treatment goals

Collaboration on mutually negotiated tasks

Presence

Holding environment

Corrective emotional experience

(Bordin, 1979)

Empathy in the Relationship

Empathetic communication

“a respectful attitude and non-judgmental stance towards the client” (Teyber & McClure, 2011, p.59).

Discerns the client’s feelings (beyond surface level feelings)

Effectively communicates understanding

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Evwgu369Jw

Some Traps to Avoid

Question/Answer Trap

Premature Focus Trap

Assessment Trap

Blaming Trap

Expert Trap

Labeling Trap

Reflections & Empathy

Reflections convey empathy in a way that questions don’t.

Reflections are also a means of hypothesis testing.

As a therapist, you are “trying to capture the emotional meaning or distill key issues in what the client has just said” ( Teyber & McClure, 2011, p. 63.

Therapist Vulnerability

Power sharing

Being fully present

Self involving statements

Self disclosure

Immediacy interventions/process comments

Interpersonal feedback

Therapeutic impact disclosure

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZkDaKKkFi6Y

When Needs Go Unsatisfied

Equifinality

Accommodation

Substitutes or compensatory motives

Development of non-optimal regulatory styles

Behavioral patterns

Difficult Client Behaviors

Re-enactments

Ruptures

Pathogenic beliefs

Eliciting moves

Testing behaviors

Transference

Signs of Discord in the Relationship

Defending

Squaring off

Interrupting

Disengagement

Strategic Responses

Reframing

Shifting focus

Apologizing

Affirming

Emphasizing personal choice

Running head start

Coming along side

(Miller & Rollnick, 2013)

Summary & Wrap Up

Points of learning

Questions

Thank you!